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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 4 · The Creation of the Fourth Order · 31 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 4 · Chapter 3: Talks Between Lord Śiva and Satī
4.3.174.3.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 4.3.18

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The great lordsince 4.3.16inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

नैताद‍ृशानां स्वजनव्यपेक्षया

गृहान्प्रतीयादनवस्थितात्मनाम् ।

येऽभ्यागतान् वक्रधियाभिचक्षते

आरोपितभ्रूभिरमर्षणाक्षिभि: ॥ १८ ॥

naitādṛśānāṁ sva-jana-vyapekṣayā

gṛhān pratīyād anavasthitātmanām

ye ’bhyāgatān vakra-dhiyābhicakṣate

āropita-bhrūbhir amarṣaṇākṣibhiḥ

Translation

One should not go to anyone’s house, even on the consideration of his being a relative or a friend, when the man is disturbed in his mind and looks upon the guest with raised eyebrows and angry eyes.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Family Ties Do Not Guarantee Welcome

  1. 1

    One should not visit a person who is mentally disturbed and receives guests with anger, even if that person is a relative or friend.

  2. 2

    Although kindness toward close family is naturally expected, a malicious person is unsteady and cannot be trusted on that basis.

  3. 3

    Satī was therefore advised not to visit her father’s house merely because he was her relative, without a proper invitation.

Key points from the purport
  • However low a person may be, he is never unkind to his children, wife and nearest kin; even a tiger is kind to its cubs, for within the animal kingdom the cubs are treated very nicely.
  • Tigers are very kind to their cubs, but it is also known that sometimes they eat them.
  • Thus Satī was advised not to go to her father’s house because to accept such a father as a relative and to go to his house without being properly invited was not suitable.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Humiliation and anger → Reconciliation. Relational offense leads to grief and destruction before restoration.

Chapters 1–7 of Canto 4: Dakṣa, Satī and Śiva. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 3: Talks Between Lord Śiva and Satī

Satī wishes to attend her father’s sacrifice; Lord Śiva warns her about envy and hurtful words.

Back to this verse in chapter 4.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. etādṛśānāmlike this
  3. sva-janakinsmen
  4. vyapekṣayādepending on that
  5. gṛhānin the house of
  6. pratīyātone should go
  7. anavasthitadisturbed
  8. ātmanāmmind
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 4.3

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 4.3

    In this verse: “kindness”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 4.3

    In this verse: “father’s”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I relying on a family connection while overlooking clear signs of hostility?

Practice

If planning a visit where hostility is likely, wait for a clear welcome rather than relying only on kinship.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFamily Ties Do Not Guarantee WelcomeThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 4.3.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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